How Harry Truman Transformed the Vice Presidency
Initially viewed by his critics as a parochial, lackluster Midwestern politician, Harry Truman emerged as a president who oversaw grand historic events.
What the Kent State Killings Did to the Student Protest Era
In retrospect, the violent events at Kent State on May 4, 1970 marked the ending of widespread campus protest left over from the turbulent 1960s.
The Unexpected Effects of the Oklahoma City Bombing
Divorce rates declined considerably in Oklahoma City during the immediate aftermath of the 1995 bombing there. Social scientists have a few theories as to why.
How FDR’s Presidency Inspired Term Limits
The Founding Fathers considered term limits, but ultimately rejected the idea. It wasn't until FDR's unprecedented four terms that lawmakers reconsidered.
How American Buddhism is Like an Elephant
Researchers see a distinct difference between Buddhist immigrants and Americans of European ancestry who have embraced Buddhism's tenets.
Is Gerrymandering to Blame for Our Polarized Politics?
Gerrymandering is the process by which districts for the House of Representatives are drawn so that one party has a distinct election advantage.
Rupert Murdoch’s American Legacy
Rupert Murdoch was born in Australia, and first made an international impact in Britain. He thrust himself into the U.S. market with his purchase of the New York Post newspaper in 1974.
Why Didn’t the Rodney King Video Lead to a Conviction?
The grainy pictures speak for themselves. Or so thought many Americans who watched the video of the March 3rd, 1991, beating of motorist Rodney King by Los Angeles police officers.
What the History of Food Stamps Reveals
In the early years of food stamps the goal wasn't necessarily to feed America's poor. The idea was to buttress the price of food after the decline in crop prices had created a crisis in rural America.
Could the Twenty-Fifth Amendment Spark a National Crisis?
One scholar's opinion: the Twenty-Fifth Amendment is a Pandora's Box.